The New Regime: Transformations of the French Civic Order, 1789-1820s

Isser Woloch's *The New Regime: Transformations of the French Civic Order, 1789-1820s* offers a compelling examination of the profound and often contradictory shifts that reshaped French society following the upheaval of the Revolution. Woloch meticulously details how, despite the initial revolutionary zeal and the subsequent descent into the Terror and Napoleonic rule, a distinct "new regime" coalesced at the intersection of state power and civil society. He argues that this emerging order, while born from profound conflict and recrimination, ultimately established new civic values and implemented lasting policies, fundamentally altering French life. This work is essential for understanding the enduring legacy of the French Revolution and solidifies Woloch's reputation as a premier historian of this era. He delves into critical transformations, including changes in lawmaking and local authority, the state's increased involvement in village life, the establishment of public education, and the evolution of justice and civil procedures. Notably, Woloch highlights the imposition of military conscription as a powerful tool that cemented the new civic order, illustrating the practical and far-reaching consequences of revolutionary ideals. *The New Regime* belongs on any list of Woloch's best books due to its rigorous scholarship, insightful analysis, and comprehensive scope, offering a nuanced understanding of how France navigated three decades of radical change to forge a new civic identity.